Accessible Home

Hello, I'm new to this site and come searching for some help. I have a great friend that uses a wheelchair permanently. A few years ago I moved into a house in Mesa, AZ (near Phoenix) that didn't have a bathroom with a wide enough door for him to use, so I put in a larger door. I'm moving to a new house now and would like to find a renter for the old one. I think having this door could be a great asset to another wheelchair (or walker) user. I'd like to advertise it with these features but I'm not sure how to word it exactly. The house doesn't have a ramp, but it's all ground level and just has a small threshold (4"?) at the door which my friend cruises over. There's also a grab bar next to the toilet. That's about the limit of accessibility features, but I could work something out to make additional improvements for the right renter. My question is: how do I properly advertise these things? Should I use a phrase like "semi-accessible?" Should I write a longer ad with the above information? Finally, where would be a good place to advertise to reach the right people? Thanks for your insight!

Contact your local Independent Center (ILC). They'll help you rent it fast. A way to describe it in an ad would be "disability friendly", then you can explain about the place and invite them in for a visit. I spent two months in a nursing home looking for wheelchair accessible housing. I jumped at the first one.

 There should be more landlords like you a simple Wheelchair Accessable I think is acceptable to most people. The 4" may or may not be a problem depending upon the chair and user in said chair but there is not a hugh modification to over come a 4" rise and there are off the shelf items for that and you can just google to find them. So good luck most people that can find accessable housing appericate it greatly and are usually excellent tenents but as usual when renting do the usual checks or have an agency handle it for you.

"Wheelchair Accessible" means it meets the ADA Section 504 laws for accessibility. 4" to me is a mountain. I can clear 1 1/2", maybe 2" with momentum. and 2" gives my innards an awful jolt.

morethanable:

"Wheelchair Accessible" means it meets the ADA Section 504 laws for accessibility. 4" to me is a mountain. I can clear 1 1/2", maybe 2" with momentum. and 2" gives my innards an awful jolt.

 

 

I agree.  To me, 4" means one thing: wheelchair catapult!  There is no way I'd be able to clear it, and I'd be stopped so suddenly by it that I'd be launched probably 10+ feet

Thanks for all the info and encouragement so far. I'm glad this thread has brought the issue that what is accessible to one person is not accessible to another. I know the house I have isn't ADA compliant), but I know it would work fine for many wheelchair users. What would be the best way to express that in an ad-friendly (meaning few words) way? Is there a phrase in common use that would indicate that? Thanks again!

Not sure if this helps, but here are some articles about accessible homes and rentals:

Finding an Affordable and Accessible Rental Starts with Knowing Your Rights

 

The Principles of Universal Design

 

Accessible Home Modifications in Rental Housing

I know this may a be a bit late FOR YOU; however, I think the best way is to just what you did here:

 Explain it.  State that there is 4" threshold, say there is a 32" door or whatever the size is, state there is a grab bar.  State you'd be willing to make further accommodations if needed.

DO NOT say its semi accessible or handicap accessible or accessible friendly.

We've been looking for a house to buy and those words would SO NOT mean accessible TO US.  However, when you just simply STATE IT .. then the people looking will have an idea.

Perhaps put it on youtube so that people can go there and see it.

We are going to be SELLING a home that is very ADA compliant.  I just do not want to be in that home.

A lot of the wording has been done and I SO HOPE that we can sell it to a great buyer!

So what's the update on it?  It's not February and you posted in November.

I'm quite curious!